The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to strengthen cooperation to ensure the safe and unhindered participation of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, made the call on Friday, October 23, 2026, during a high-level technical engagement on disability-inclusive election security and protection protocols at the Abuja Inter-Continental Hotel.
The meeting, themed “Securing the Vote for All: Advancing Inclusive, Safe and Rights-Based Electoral Participation Ahead of the 2027 General Elections,” brought together representatives of the police and other security agencies, the European Union, TAF Africa, organisations of persons with disabilities and other stakeholders.
Amupitan said credible elections required more than an efficient voting process, stressing that every eligible Nigerian must be able to exercise their franchise freely, safely and without discrimination.
He said voters with disabilities must be protected from intimidation, harassment, insecurity and other barriers that could prevent them from participating in the electoral process.
The INEC chairman cited the 1999 Constitution, as amended; the Electoral Act 2026; the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018; and Nigeria’s commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as legal frameworks supporting inclusive elections.
He also highlighted Clauses 19, 21, 27 and 28 of INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2026, which provide for priority access, appropriate assistance and assistive voting materials for voters with disabilities.
On election security, Amupitan underscored the responsibility of the Nigeria Police Force to maintain public order, protect lives and property, prevent electoral violence and ensure a safe environment for elections.
He urged security personnel to demonstrate professionalism, impartiality and sensitivity when interacting with people with different disabilities.
He added that assistance offered to voters must respect their dignity, independence, privacy and freedom to make their own choices.
According to him, disability inclusion should be integrated into election security planning, personnel training, deployment strategies and incident-response procedures well before Election Day.
Amupitan also called for security assessments to identify potential challenges, including inaccessible polling units, overcrowding, possible flashpoints and communication barriers that could impede the participation of voters with disabilities.
He stressed the need for stronger collaboration among INEC, the police and other security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
The chairman said effective information-sharing, clearly defined responsibilities and timely responses to emerging threats would be critical to protecting voters during the 2027 general elections.
